Desert hedgehog related nucleic acids and proteins

Abstract

The invention provides isolated nucleic acid, proteins and peptides, wherein said proteins and peptides are related to the Hedgehog family of proteins. Also provided are vectors and transformed host cells for expressing said proteins, and a method for identifying compounds that bind and/or modulate the activity of said proteins, and pharmaceutical compositions and methods for treating spinal cord injury, male infertility, and tumor growth.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An isolated nucleic acid that hybridizes to SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4, or SEQ ID NO:5 under high stringency conditions.  
     
     
         2 . A vector comprising an isolated nucleic acid of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         3 . A host cell containing a vector of  claim 2 .  
     
     
         4 . A pharmaceutical formulation comprising as an active ingredient Dhh-H protein, or fragment thereof associated with one or more pharmaceutically acceptable carriers, excipients, or diluents thereof.  
     
     
         5 . A functional analog of Dhh-H that is about at least 80% identical with SEQ ID NO:2 or functional fragment thereof, providing that said analog is not SEQ ID NO:2.  
     
     
         6 . A functional analog of Dhh-H that is about at least 90% identical with SEQ ID NO:2 or functional fragment thereof, providing that said analog is not SEQ ID NO:2.  
     
     
         7 . A functional analog of Dhh-H that is about at least 95% identical with SEQ ID NO:2 or functional fragment thereof, providing that said analog is not SEQ ID NO:2.  
     
     
         8 . A functional fragment of Dhh-H.  
     
     
         9 . A method for treating male infertility in humans comprising the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of Dhh-H or functional fragment thereof.  
     
     
         10 . A method for treating spinal growth injury in humans comprising the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of Dhh-H or functional fragment thereof.  
     
     
         11 . A method for promoting spinal cord regeneration in humans comprising the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of Dhh-H or functional fragment thereof.  
     
     
         12 . A method for inhibiting tumor growth in humans comprising the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of Dhh-H or functional fragment thereof.